Schreker - Chamber Symphony/ Schubert - Death and The Maiden (orch. Mahler)

Schubert: Death and The Maiden (orch. Mahler) / Schreker: Chamber Symphony

Franz Welser-Most, Camerata Academica Salzburg

Pairing the early-20th century composer Franz Schreker with Franz Schubert might seem a bit odd, but in fact it works quite well because they both reflect the Viennese style of music-making.

Gustav Mahler's "orchestration" of Schubert "Death and the Maiden" string quartet is very satisfying. While it inevitably loses some of the intimacy of a chamber piece, this version exposes the power and romantic depth of this music more effectively than any quartet could. Listen to the quiet coda to the slow movement to appreciate the benefits of added strings. Orchestration also reveals the kinship of Schubert and Dvorak. Listen to the scherzo here and one can hear a model for Dvorak's String Serenade. (If you like this, you'll love the Dvorak.)

Schreker's Chamber Symphony is a neglected masterpiece. The opening will come as a bit of a shock right after the Schubert because Schreker dabbles in a bit of impressionism. The luminous texture of the opening, however, gives a hint of what is to come. This piece is full of wonderfully delicate, yet gorgeously rich orchestral textures. However, although the use of the orchestra stamps it as a 20th-century piece, Schreker harkens back to the sweet lyricism of Schubert with many beautiful melodies.

This is music that soars because it isn't burdened with the heavy "philosophical" point-making that makes some some 20th-century Germanic music tough to listen to. (Which isn't to say that I avoid such music--I just like to feel seraphic occasionally!)

Both pieces are played wonderfully by the Camerata Academica Salzburg under Welser-Most and the sound is rich.